Oxygen and
Esquire Network Greenlight First Ever
Co-Production With Companion
Series
“Living With Funny” And “Comedians of L.A.”
Network
Lands Exclusive Cable Rights To NBCUniversal Domestic Television
Distribution’s Daily Syndicated Comedic Program “Crazy Talk”
NEW YORK, NY – March 30, 2015 – The youngest skewing women’s network in prime, Oxygen Media
continues its commitment to increase original programming by 25 percent
with eight new series targeting millennial women. Reinforcing the
network’s new programming filter, these vibrant and bold series include “Douglas Family Gold,” “The Hustle,” “Pretty. Strong,” “Player Gets Played,” “Boss Nails” and the third installment of the popular franchise, “Preachers of Atlanta.”
The network secured the exclusive cable distribution for the half-hour syndicated daily comedic show, “Crazy Talk,”
debuting this fall from NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution.
As part of NBCUniversal Lifestyle Networks, the announcements were made
today at the Bravo Media, Esquire Network and Oxygen Upfront Press
Presentation.
An unprecedented
co-production, Oxygen and Esquire Network have greenlit companion
docu-series featuring talented and successful comedians, but with an
emphasis on different aspects of their lives and told from different
viewpoints. The Oxygen series, “Living With Funny,” follows their personal lives and relationships, while the Esquire series, “Comedians of L.A.,”
focuses on the working life of a stand-up comedian onstage, backstage,
and offstage. The series will air during the same period on each network
so fans can follow both shows seamlessly.
After becoming the network’s highest-rated freshman series premiere among all key demos in 2014, “Sisterhood of Hip Hop” has been picked up for season two with all five cast members returning. In addition, successful business mavens Randi Zuckerberg, Ido Leffler, Sarah Prevette and Lauren Maillian will serve as mentors and investors on “Time to Quit Your Day Job.” Previously
announced as “The Investment Club,” this risk-taking new series brings
passionate young hopefuls together to pitch their innovative new
products and make their mark as successful entrepreneurs.
“Oxygen is
unveiling our most ambitious slate, embracing the new brand filter with
bold and optimistic programming for young multicultural women,” said
Frances Berwick, President, Lifestyle Networks, NBCUniversal Cable
Entertainment. “We are excited to be partnering with leading producers
to create content that cuts through the clutter, connects our millennial
viewers to the things that matter to them, with depictions of real
people living life on their own terms.”
Oxygen was a top 25 ad-supported primetime cable entertainment network among F18-34 and F18-49 and the #3 most social cable
reality network in 2014. Among the Top 10 most social cable reality
networks, Oxygen reached viewers with the greatest number of followers –
helping to drive show and advertiser buzz faster and further.
Additionally in 2014, Oxygen was the youngest skewing women’s network in
primetime by over nine years. Post rebrand (4Q 2014), viewers of
Oxygen’s original series are younger and more likely to be early
adopters, influential and receptive to advertising.
“With
its dynamic slate of programming, Oxygen continues to strengthen its
position as the youngest women’s network in prime while providing
creative opportunities to seamlessly weave in marketing messages across
platforms to reach this unique and coveted millennial audience,” Laura
Molen, Executive Vice President, Lifestyle Advertising Sales Group,
NBCUniversal.
NEW SERIES:
“Living with Funny” (working title)
Produced by L. Plummer Media with Lemuel Plummer serving as Executive Producer.
This companion
docu-series showcases the personal lives behind the curtain of rising
comedians in Hollywood and the women in their lives. Cameras will
follow the howling tale of what happens when they drop the mic and come
home to their family, friends and significant others. Because when you
are a comedian, the jokes don’t stop just because the show does. Brandon
T. Jackson is the first comedian to commit to both series. Additional
cast will be announced at later date.
“Crazy Talk”
Produced and
distributed in the U.S. by NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution
with Paul Faulhaber serving as Executive Producer.
Hosted by Tanisha
Thomas (“Bad Girls Club”) and Ben Aaron (WNBC’s “New York Live”), the
fast-paced, laugh-out-loud first-run comedic syndicated daily program
raises an eyebrow on the most outlandish and sometimes bizarre moments
on reality television. Taped in front of a live studio audience, this
half-hour series filled with raw and hilarious banter also invites
reality stars to rehash their “15 minutes of fame” and provide insight
behind their most-watched clips.
“Pretty. Strong.”
Produced
by Relativity Television and Ellen Rakieten Entertainment with Tom
Forman, Brad Bishop and Ellen Rakieten serving as Executive Producers.
It is football
like you have never seen it before as fierce, young women engage in one
of the roughest, yet fastest growing sports in the country— the Legends
Football League. This is full contact, hard tackle football with two-time reigning champions the Chicago Bliss going for the coveted three-peat. These
athletes are juggling careers as dentists, lawyers, and receptionists,
but come game time, they are on a girl power-fueled mission to inspire,
blaze trails and defy the odds.
“The Hustle” (working title)
Produced by
NCredible Entertainment with Nick Cannon and Michael Goldman serving as
Executive Producers in association with Evolution Media with Douglas
Ross, Alex Baskin and Greg Stewart serving as Executive Producers.
Being a boss is
tough, but being an assistant is impossible. This coming-of-age series
follows the dynamic and hard-working assistants to successful
entrepreneurs and entertainers. With blood, sweat and tears, these
ambitious 20-somethings are willing to do whatever it takes to learn the
ropes one step at a time so they can climb the ranks. These assistants
are exposed to a life of privilege at work, traveling on private jets
and attending lavish red carpet events, however, at the end of the day,
they struggle just to pay rent and find time for their own personal
lives.
“Player Gets Played”
Produced by DiGA with Tony DiSanto, Liz Gateley and Cheryl Horner Sirulnick serving as Executive Producers.
In each episode,
one woman with a lurking suspicion will uncover a heartbreaking truth
with the help of social media and friends when it’s revealed she is not
the only woman in her boyfriend’s life. These young women are given the
ultimate opportunity to change the game without letting him in on the
plan. The newly empowered women will join together and plot a surprising
confrontation to give the player a taste of his own medicine.
“Douglas Family Gold” (working title)
Produced
by WV Enterprises in association with Lionsgate TV and Televisa USA
with Wilmer Valderrama, Jessica Acevedo, Natalie Hawkins and Gabrielle
Douglas serving as Executive Producers.
Gabrielle
“Gabby” Douglas stunned the world in 2012 by becoming the first African
American in history to win the individual all-around gold medal at the
Summer Olympics. Behind her meteoric rise was a supportive family
willing to sacrifice everything for years to help her dream. Now 19,
Gabby is ready to do it all over again in hopes of making it back to the
medal podium in 2016. The bi-coastal Douglas family shuttles between
California and Ohio to support Gabby’s training regimen while also
juggling their own lives. Her brother John is the family's second
Olympic hopeful in track and field, while devoted sisters Arie and Joy
are eager to blaze their own paths. “Momager” Natalie keeps this
tight-knit family in-check, knowing regardless of what happens, “Team
Douglas” has already won gold.
“Boss Nails”
Produced by
Jarrett Creative, with Julie Jarrett, Seth Jarrett and Carmen Mitcho
serving as Executive Producers and Rock Shrimp Productions NYC with
Bobby Flay and Kim Martin serving as Executive Producers.
Welcome to Tippie Toes Nail & Beauty Salon where Miami’s fashionistas
come for one-of-a-kind pop-culture nail designs. This series centers on
26-year-old burgeoning business owner Dana Cody, known for her
signature crystal embellished manicures that cost upwards of $10,000, as
she juggles managing her boisterous staff, expanding her salon empire,
and living up to the legacy her late mother left behind.
“Preachers of Atlanta”
Produced by L. Plummer Media in association with Relevé Entertainment with Lemuel Plummer, Holly Carter, Chris Costine and Mark Scheibal serving as Executive Producers.
Atlanta is not
only the home to fast cars, sprawling mansions and the southern elite,
but a new generation of up-and-coming preachers who are superstars of
the pulpit. The third installation from the popular franchise,
“Preachers of Atlanta” documents the lives of the city’s young elite
mega-pastors as they focus on the daily struggles and triumphs as
husbands, wives, fathers, mothers and friends, while also maintaining
their duties as men and women of God.
“Time To Quit Your Day Job” (working title)
Produced by Original
Productions, a FremantleMedia Company with Phillip D. Segal, Jeff
Conroy and Kevin Williams serving as Executive Producers.
Aspiring
millennials will have the unique opportunity to pitch themselves and
their innovative ideas to Randi Zuckerberg, Ido Leffler, Sarah Prevette
and Lauren Maillian, who will also serve as mentors to the young
professionals. These hopefuls will have to win the confidence of these
four investors and prove they have what it takes to turn their concept
into a viable business.
RETURNING SERIES:
“Sisterhood of Hip Hop” Season Two
Produced by 51 Minds with Christian Sarabia, T.I. and Greg Johnston serving as Executive Producers.
With Grammy-Award
winning recording artist T.I. as Executive Producer, season two of this
powerful and uplifting series will continue to follow the next
generation of female MCs on their journey to become the next breakout
star with some new twists, more celebrity mentors and break out music.
Navigating the Los Angeles hip-hop scene, these five up-and-coming,
ambitious artists— Siya, Nyemiah Supreme, Diamond, Brianna Perry and
Bia— are breaking boundaries and rewriting the rules of the male
dominated music industry.
Source:
Nielsen Media Research, 2014 L7. Cable ranks includes ad supported
cable entertainment networks in M-sun 8pm-11pm primetime, and excludes
non-ad supported networks (e.g., pay cable, Disney), sports, news
channels and networks that air in less than 50% of the daypart. Women’s
networks = OXY, LIF, WE, OWN, LMN. Social Guide Intelligence; Cable
reality networks only, Primetime 8pm-10:59pm, New or Live Episodes.
Social ranking based on number of Tweets . Post rebrand = Nielsen Fusion
4Q14 F18-34 (used Apr14-Sep14 study) vs. 4Q13 (used Oct13-Mar14
study). MS 8p-11p, premieres only. Influential: People ask my advice
before purchasing. Early Adopter: I’m one of the first to try new
products or services. Ad Receptive: Adv Att: Advertising keeps me
up-to-date of products/services that I need/like to have-Describes. Top
Box. Median age of premieres – 4Q14 vs 4Q13, prime MS 8p-11p,
premieres only, based on P2+.
About Oxygen Media
Oxygen Media is a
multiplatform entertainment brand that targets young, multicultural
women. The network’s relevant and engaging content reflects how real
women with real stories see the world – vibrant, optimistic and bold.
Oxygen is the destination where women can come together across multiple
platforms to have fun and encourage each other through their individual
and collective journeys. The growing network’s unscripted original
programming includes “Sisterhood of Hip Hop,” “The Prancing Elites
Project,” “Funny Girls” and the popular “Preachers” franchise.
Available in over 77 million homes, Oxygen is a program service of
NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the
world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development,
production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a
global audience.
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